BRISTOL, Tenn. — Tony Stewart, who thrilled fans at Bristol by throwing his helmet at Matt Kenseth here in August, was the first driver to find the wall Sunday.

Stewart crashed on Lap 9 of the Food City 500 after his left-rear tire blew out at Bristol Motor Speedway. Stewart, who was running 13th at the time, appeared to have made contact with another driver, possibly deflating his tire.

Stewart was trying to get to pit road before he spun and crashed in Turn 2.

Stewart and Kenseth crashed while racing for the lead at Bristol in August, prompting Stewart to fling his helmet at Kenseth’s car.

Stewart took his car to the garage for repairs and returned 14 laps down. Stewart had to limp around the track and after 200 laps had fallen 29 laps behind.